Last Doubts Vanished: One of THE most meaningful LGBTQIA+ series
A mindful spirit, braveness, and an open mind are what it takes to possess the power to produce something meaningful. GMMTV has again gifted us with another meaningful, heart-wrenching, and impressive series called "Last Twilight".The story, which evolves around the disability to see efficiently, dealing with heavy burdens like the suicide of a loved one and being reliant on others, is well-written and paced. Both Mohk and Day are realistically flawed characters and are also portrayed as such. I´m convinced this is one of the best series in the genre of LGBTQ+ in Southeast Asia to be released in 2023 and 2024.
STORY 9.0 >> 9.5
As I have already mentioned at the beginning of this review, the innovation and braveness to portray a story that evolves around disability - which shouldn´t be left out of the film industry as it is part of our world and nothing to be ashamed of or shushed about - has pleasingly surprised me. The issues that come with disabled eyesight are not coming too short and it doesn´t feel like the disability is only a tool for more views and attention, but honestly more as if GMMTV wants to raise awareness for and normalize the thematizing of disability in our lives, as well as showing what those affected by the suicide of a loved one go through. This series offers the possibility to reflect on our world and the entertainment industry, by raising awareness for both these crucial topics and also offering to witness a romance forming despite all the burdens faced by the main characters. Truly beautiful. Truly insightful. Truly inspiring.
I have never changed my opinion on the rating of the STORY to a better rating, UNTIL now. "Last Twilight" has convinced me to be one of the most time-worthy series out there to watch. I feel so blessed to be a witness to this tragic but beautifully written story between two young men trying to overcome this world's difficulties.
ACTING / CAST 8.5 >> 9.0
The chemistry between Jimmy and Sea is probably already well known among GMMTV viewers, but this series raises their bar even higher and makes me feel really happy and warm inside. I wonder what they´re doing in their workshops etc. to create such a natural tension. In "Last Twilight" they have gone over and beyond many bars I have ever imagined to see in the next few years. I am so happy they came this far and immensely pleased by the performance.
What I also like about "Last Twilight" is that the side characters have also become more meaningful for the main story and are not separately dragged along. Especially since they don´t have "that side couple", but it´s focused on Day and Mhok. I´m very pleased to witness that this again proves that most series of GMMTV have improved their screenwriting, especially since I have been part of the journey for more than 6 or 7 years now.
MUSIC 7.0 >> 7.5
The music is usually what provides room for comic relief. With heavy topics as portrayed in this series, it´s unavoidable to provide uplift, as it can also help deliver a more meaningful picture of what it is like to live with a disability where life will most likely also have a shift of positive and negative events and feelings, as we are all are feeling humans after all.
OVERALL 8.5
Masterpiece. Over n´ out!
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That's my word for it...FRESH. It feels GOOD to watch it and I can't really say that for any other drama other than It Started with a Kiss.
Coffee Prince is probably the best drama I've seen. Ever.
I've had the very unfortunate experience for it to be one of the first dramas I've ever watched, so since then all the ones I've watched after was crap. It seriously raised my standards.
The rewatch value is VERY high. I've seen it so many times now (this site should have a # times watched option!) maybe about 4 or 5. I will probably make it an every year or second year thing. Even my very white-washed brother and skeptical mother watched and enjoyed it. Yeah it can be a family thing too.
The storyline was great and I felt like every single scene was important. When you watch it its like you're so engrossed in what's happening you don't even notice that time is passing. The story was so good that I was surprised it wasn't a book to begin with. I think its best to watch in your late teen - 20s years, when you can really empathize with the characters after all the heart breaks. It helps you move on and has good morals.
If you want to watch something inspirational, creative, fresh, heart warming, heart wrenching, sometimes tear inducing, beautiful, hilariously funny, wholesome and passionate drama/comedy, then watch it. It makes you laugh, cry, sympathize, fall in love, be inspired, and just plain happy. Its a MUST SEE.
p.s.
If you're sick and tired of the lame "peck on the cheek" kiss scenes (usually at the end) that you see in soooo many dramas, then see this. Passionate acting and kissing. This drama satisfies everything that you don't get in all the other dramas.
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Although the clear intention of wanting to showcase something emotional and deep, a story that perhaps adults can relate to more was there, personally, this drama came off as vague. It lacked Playlist's usual "sparkle", that element of endearment that leaves you sad that the series is over, that makes you want more, that leaves you... attached.
The characters (all very gorgeous) had empty-like personalities, built around in a very basic way around the relationships each of them carried out. It seems that to be more mature, the writers sacrificed their characters, making them one dimensional. The story was okay, put as dramatic as they could in 12 episodes, and the performances, especially Soo Min's, were great, although I did wish that Geon Won wasn't pouting 90% of the time.
One thing I must praise is the choice of osts (sung by Rothy and Park Won) and the incredible quality of their filming. It helped paint and shape the scenes a lot more. The art within the drama was also beautiful.
Overall, Ending Again isn't exactly bad, but for someone that has seen many dramas from the same team, it's a bit disappointing.
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A beautiful three hour long journey ride
Hamaguchi Ryusuke released two amazing films in 2021, Fortune and Fantasy and Drive My Car. I have to say this, Drive My Car is such a beautiful movie. Please watch "Drive My Car" (2021) it's a three hours long movie, it takes you on a beautiful ride. The screenplay of this movie is so well written. I am so happy this movie got nominated for OSCARS. Drive my Car is the best first Japanese movie to be nominated for the BEST PICTURE. I am so happy! In fact, there is another movie by Hamaguchi Ryusuke you must watch, that is "Happy Hour".Was this review helpful to you?
-This is an intense story about a boy who is able to overcome the hardships in his family.
-It shows how not every kid has to go the wrong way, even though the life is obviously being a bitch to him.
-Its a beautiful story, I would really recommend it to you :)
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When i first saw the promos, read the title and the plot, i was like „Hm, okay, another drama about a restaurant/cooking/food…” Not my favourite theme (actually one of the last i like to watch), so it didn’t moved me at all.
And one day, when i was out of new episodes,and this drama was in its middle, i decided to give it a try… and I didn’t regret my choice at all.
1)... STORY ................................
This drama is fresh and crunchy like a really good salad. :)
If you (like me) expect a quite boring story with a lot of delicious food - you are half right. Because THERE ARE a lot of delicious food. :D
But the story was not boring for me at all. It was probably thanks to the kind of mysterious crime-plot, because the producers made it very interesting and it keeps your curiosity from episode to episode.
Okay, now let’s talk about the eating scenes, because OH HOLY GOD OF ALL DIETS… these are perfect crimes.
Are you not hungry when you start to watch it? You will.
Are not there any food near to you while watching it? There will be.
Are you not the truly fan od korean dishes now? You will.
Be prepared, i awared you. :)
The only "bad point" for this drama (from me) is the "almost nothing" romance, which is evolving really slowly and when it's finally bloomed it is nothing special. In my opinion they didn't made the best of the couple(s). Also i couldn't feel too much chemistry between the leads.
2)... ACTING/CAST ................................
To be honest, there are a lot of new faces, whom i've never seen acting before. For example the four leads, so i didn't expect anything special, but i have to say that, i am quite amazed.
The main leads did a very good job, and played their character really well, especially the male ones.
I see a lot of potential at Yoon Doo Joon's acting skills, but favourite was Shim Hyung Tak (as Attorney Kim), he and his character made laughing and sad through the drama, and the progress of his character was noticeable and well acted.
There was something loveable in every character, so everybody find their favourite.
3)... MUSIC ........................................
Nothing memorable, but the music during the eating scenes can't be better. :)
4)... REWATCH ........................................
I am not the type of rewatcher, so probably i won't, but i will show some FOODPORN scenes to my friends from it.
5)... OVERALL .......................................
All in all, okay, this drama probably isn't a masterpiece, and it hasn't got really deep message, or something.
BUT, if you like the delightful ones, or just need some enjoyable, funny and delicious moments with a little of romantic seasoning, this drama is definitely for you and YOU WILL EAT IT WELL! :)
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Is it Worth Investing Time in ” Hospital Playlist”?
Yes, I am late to the party with only just having completed screenwriter Lee Woo Jung ( Reply series, Prison Playbook ) ‘s drama “ Hospital Playlist”. However with ”Hospital Playlist 2” now ( at the time of writing) being released on Netflix streaming services , I decided it was a good time to give the critically acclaimed and hit series a go.Of course“ Hospital Playlist” isn’t without its more nuanced flaws. At times ” Hospital Playlist” struggled to step away from the medical show fusion genre scenario with the mundane setup of high drama, lighthearted comedy, “life vs death” consequences, and not every patient makes it through in order to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. (Additionally this provoked the evident problem of tedious pacing in the show also.) However, there’s a more poignant element similar to Friends in the mix, as the quintet are revealed to have a deep-rooted friendship with one another for more than two decades.
Whilst the first couple of episodes invest time within “ getting to know” our ensemble and present the fairly dynamic performances of our main cast, the following episodes explore an oddly balanced investment into the quintet jamming out in their band during their free time, backstories and the current ups and downs of life at the hospital also.
Arguably one of the major roles to talk about in the drama was the role of Jo Jung Suk as Ik Joon. As a single dad, Ik Joon could have easily been stereotyped as the cliched “ estranged father” or having a “ bitter” relationship with his son Woo Joo (Kim Jun) due to the bitter nature of his divorce from his wife , however, Ik Joon is refreshingly nothing but a kindhearted goofy dad, with a charm that easily wins over even his most stubborn of patients in the hospital . Arguably the potential “ love story” element in consideration to his unrequited feelings for Song Hwa ( without decisive spoilers) may leave viewers a little on edge by the unnecessary setup, however, surprisingly the later decisions of Ik Joon felt surprisingly natural for his character.
Following on from Ik Joon is evidently Jung Kyung Ho as Kim Jun Wan.
Despite his tough shell in front of the trainees and his peers , actor Kyung Ho seemed to pretty much nail Jun Wan’s archetype as the “ grizzly bear with a marshmallow heart”. Jun Wan is a harsh teacher at times, but a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon and truly cares for his patients ( even if it means making tough calls). In one particularly heartfelt scene of the series, Jun Wan adorns a terrible suit from Jae Hak (Jung Moon Sung), and attending the wedding of his patient’s daughter as his patient is unable to attend. His love story with Ik Soon ( Ik Joon’s sister) did undeniably start on a bit of an eccentric and uncomfortable setup but did become enjoyable ( especially with Jun Wan’s grouchiness at times) as the series progressed.
As the only female friend of the quintet and a single woman in her 40s Chae Song Hwa could’ve easily done down the more stereotypical route of being “ bitter” or “ pitiful”. However Song Hwa is refreshingly anything but these labels. A Charismatic, compassionate, intellectual and elegant character , its easy to see why actors Jo Jung Suk and Yoo Yeon Seok recommended theatre actress Jeon Mi Do for the role.Arguably whilst season two has given a potential opportunity to explore the landscape of Song Hwa’s mixed feelings for her respected love interests, season one undeniably often failed to truly sketch - out Song Hwa’s more profound complexity in her love life. (However room for a second season will hopefully delve into this issue more.)
Nevertheless arguably one of the most surprisingly heartwarming characters in the series was Kim Dae Myung’s role as Seok Hyung. Seemingly starting off the drama as the cliched and spoilt “ mama’s boy”, Dae Myung’s performance added surprising layers to Seok Kyung as a character with his complicated past and rationale as a medical professional . His potential love story with coworker Min Ah could’ve easily gone down several mundane routes, but his overall development and reactions rarely felt out of character.
On a weaker note, the final member of our quintet was Yoo Yeon Suk as Jeong Won. This isn’t to say that Yoo Yeon Suk’s performance was bad in any way. In fact the actor truly animated his onscreen persona to life with many endearing and likeable qualities. However Jeong Won was sadly a little less well-rounded. Whilst he had an intriguing storyline and a more complicated backstory than a lot of the other characters, but his later motives and personality assets often felt less profound. In addition to this whilst the show did seem to go down the evident route of his potential love story with Gyeo Wool in snippets, it often lacked the same charisma as the rest of the ensemble.
So is “ Hospital Playlist” worth watching? The show doesn’t entirely step upon new ground with its concept with certain characters and storylines felt slightly undeveloped ( although a sequel season will hopefully dismiss these issues) and snail pacing in parts also. On the other hand “ Hospital Playlist” has surprisingly profound and bittersweet themes with backstories and life in the hospital, as characters are often faced with realistically challenging issues which helped to provide food for thought. If you are willing to invest some time into this show, then you’ll absolutely love “ Hospital Playlist”.
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Simple, mature yet cute romance
Completed - 7/4/2022"Old Fashion Cupcake" is worthy of all its praises. What a delight to see a simple, realistic, mature romance blossoming in front of my eyes. We have a 29-year old who was inspired and encouraged to live life to the fullness and to love oneself so that there will be no regrets in his life. On the other hand, we have a 39-year who is so comfortable with everything in his life that he's afraid of changes, both personal or professional. Through the very delicious and "seductive" anti-aging process, the two got to hang out and get to know each other. Their interactions and conversations are comfortable and cute at the same time. It's quite refreshing to see two men having boys talk casually and openly.
The acting is good and not cringey. The two feel so natural together, as if they're made for each other. I can see the comparison to "Cherry Magic" as both are office BL romance. But I might actually like this romance more, as it feels more mature and honest in a way. I also prefer the dynamic between Nozue and Togawa, as it feels they are both on equal footing in this relationship. Togawa's emotional scene in episode 4 was well acted and the chemistry between the leads in the alley was sizzling. I was eagerly waiting for a passionate kiss!
There are no plot twists in this drama but that doesn't mean it's boring. Though "Old Fashion Cupcake" is really short, I am satisfied with these 5 episodes. Only Japanese dramas could have such good pacing without draggy unnecessary scenes.
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Deng Lun is a Gem
I must say, I have enjoyed watching this drama. Not for its great plot nor fancy actors, but for something closer – home, what it takes to make a place we can call home. It takes a lot of love and sacrifices. It takes courage and patience.Deng Lun’s acting is simply 10 out of 10; he is natural, funny and lovable. The character he plays as Shao Peng Chen, grows from an arrogant spoiled brat to a considerate and compassionate leader. His wits, kindness and empathy help him win many hearts, including the love of his life.
Another notable acting is by Li Xin Yi who plays the wily Hao Mei Li. She grows from someone who always undercuts her friends and co-workers to a reliable trusted friend whom everyone loves. Li Xin Yi pins the character to the spot. I really love watching her, though in the beginning I must admit I did roll my eyes whenever she appeared and talked.
There are no real bad characters from start to finish in this drama. The whole drama basically portrays a very real issue faced by many young people living in big cities in China, in particular, Shanghai, where property prices are beyond the reach of many families. As it is a tradition that most Chinese families demand ownership of properties, it has become a constant stress for the growing number of young people working in the cities. The pressure from both sides of the families for a young married couple to own a property is simply unimaginable.
Shao Peng Chen in this drama comes up with a solution in solving the pressing housing issue. It follows a popular affordable rent-to-own model, which has been trending in western countries with the decline of home ownership. His conviction and determination in achieving his goals play out as he picks up the pieces when he fails, and forever optimistic and hopeful, never letting his failures overshadow his judgement.
This drama brings love, friendship, family, trust, compassion, and hope. It is heart-warming and it leaves one with a feel-good sense. It is worthy of our viewing if even just for Deng Lun’s performance. I guarantee you, he would make you fall head-over-toe for him, if he hasn’t already.
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Ok well now let me get down to bizness. I loved this story more than I did the 1st 1. This made more sense of how the characters came together. I really enjoyed watching the characters develop & the relationships. There was some good rock music that was played at different times throughout this drama. I might watch this again but it is not on my high priority list of rewatchable dramas. Even though this drama is slow to move through the story at times, it will keep u interested & wanting to know what is going to happen next. I think this is a drama that others will either just love or just hate, but u have to watch it to find out which group u will be in.
I personally think this would have been a much better drama if it was like a continuation of the 1st season. I think I would have understood the story a little more if the parents of the Dukes had been the cousins from the previous season, but it was still good the way it was.
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The most stupid Drama I’ve ever watched
The acting was terrible!!! Most of them showed zero emotions! I don’t understand how the main character just drops his revenge plan for his brother and just kisses a random girl on a party. Then the father of the female main character suddenly pulls out a gun without a single reason, is ready to shoot her, but suddenly he got called again. And then he is like “How sad we weren’t hunting for such a long time-“ WHAT THE HELL?! I can’t say anything more about this drama, but it really dissapointed me.Was this review helpful to you?
This in not my ORV.
Why did you decide to adapt the novel into a movie?I am just so sad and disappointed as a ORV-fan. It's like a wound to my soul.
No offense to the actors though. I am just angry at the change in plotline.
It honestly breaks my heart that there are people, who've never read the novel and watched the movie and came away with a totally wrong idea of what it's really about.
They failed to capture the story’s true essence....
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THIS IS NOT MY ORV
don't watch the live adaptation of omniscient reader's viewpoint it's a waste of time and it's full of shit.cuz fym kim dokja wasn't a reader, he hate WOS and hate yoo joonghyuk. jung heewon is the main character and yoo sangah is a healer?
like are you kidding me right now
this shit is ass
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Proves how both real and fake these shows are.
You know how sometimes you finish a drama and you wish to see more of certain characters? Or the supporting couple? Or the future of the ghost ship you just adored? This Reunion delivers just that, but for a dating show.The production team clearly knew what was popular and what could sell. Seeing the difference of the length between 3 first episodes consisting of the watch party, we know who the main characters were. Mary Sue is still on her path of self improvement and the special episodes clearly show that the “redemption” arc from the last two episodes of Single’s Inferno was not scripted. It was both funny to watch her reactions, but also slightly sad and uncomfortable. Yes, it was an embarrassment of her own doing, but you still feel bad for the girl.
At the same time these few new episodes show how both fake and real these dating programs are. The couple that was most loved seems not to vibe that much, the couple everyone rooted for and got disappointed with the final result reunites, the couple that seemed more one sided is actually the strongest of them all. All that said, I am truly grateful for how honest the cast was. There was no vague: maybe we are dating, maybe we are not. If things did not work out they talked about it and explained shortly why.
Then we have a “special date” in episode 4 that was full of chemistry and future potential.
I wish the last two episodes were actually longer and that the whole cast would be part of the trip. I understand that there might have been a conflict of scheduling and all that, but for what, one day they could not gather everyone? Really? They played it as if only people who had things left to discuss and figure out were part of it, but let’s get real, there were some with zero real connection and conflict in, and some with complicated feelings out.
Overall, still one of the best after shows of the best season of Single’s Inferno.
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